Effects of Oral Health Education for Occupational Health Nurses / 치위생과학회지

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of oral health education for occupational health nurses. The subjects were 300 occupational health nurses which participated in continuing education of Korean Association of Occupational Health Nurses. Oral health education contents consisted of basic knowledge about oral health, prevention of periodontal disease, oral health care for workers, and oral health program for workers. In order to evaluate the effects of oral health education, we performed questionnaire surveys before and after the education regarding their perceived oral health status and concern for oral health, knowledge about prevention of periodontal disease, attitude about oral health promotion, and needs for implementation of oral health promotion program. The data were analyzed by paired t-test to compare the change of knowledge and attitude according to the education. Linear regression analysis was carried out to assess the factors related to the improvement of their knowledge and attitude. The findings indicated that oral health knowledge and attitude of occupational health nurses were significantly improved by oral health education. A factor of the improvement of knowledge and attitude was concern for oral health. And they would like to be provided primarily oral health education for occupational health nurses. Finally, this study suggested that oral health education for occupational health nurses had significantly effects on improving oral health knowledge and attitude.